Laundering in Italy... what an experience...

I think we've all had the pleasure of using communal laundry facilities, you know waiting until someone you don't know in apartment 4 is finished using it, or finding that the drier is still full of clothes 2 hours after it's finished drying? Yes we've all been there. And now I've entered a new chapter of laundering difficulties.
A) the washing machines are about the size of a cereal bowl.
B) Driers don't exist in Italy.
C) Italians will not remove their clothes from the drying rack until there is not an ounce of moisture left in them.
And so here I am. First of all, it took three tries to get the washing machine to work. Then I was told that the clothes on the drying rack are not ready to be moved, and there is not enough space for my clothes. So at the moment I have socks hanging in the closet, pajamas hanging on the closet door, sweater and jeans on the radiator and about six socks claiming an open space on the drying rack.
I was told when I left for Italy that I would come away with an appreciation for certain things they do here in Italy that are different from what we traditionally do in the States, but that I would also come away with a much greater appreciation for other things I once took for granted. This is one of those things. Never again will I take for granted the enormous washing machines, with self-explanatory buttons. And NEVER again will I complain about the drier taking an hour to finish drying my clothes! It could take 2, maybe three, and that would be just dandy with me!
But, enough about laundry! We started our pre-session class this week. I love my teacher, Clara. She teaches Italian at a private language school somewhere outside of Bologna. She showed us some pictures and it looks absolutely gorgeous (and absolutely out of any reasonable price-range!). The class itself is about a 15-20 minute walk from my apartment, but every morning I meet Flor and we stroll along the streets of Bologna to class, just as the city is waking. It's an incredible feeling to know that now when we want to go somewhere or have to go somewhere, we can find our way with no difficulty, and now map!
It's funny how things that seemed so scary and so new only a week ago, now seem so familiar, you wonder how you ever got lost.
I bought a bike today from our friend Keith from New Zealand. It's a lovely black bike, with a basket and bell. It will be perfect for getting around town. Keith is heading back to New Zealand after the weekend, and even though we've only known him for a week, it's sad to see him go so far away. But who knows, perhaps we'll all meet again sometime in the future!
My roommate Rosanna, cooked for Irène and I today. I'm not exactly sure what was in it, but it was heavenly to my tastebuds! Italians make throwing together a meal look so easy!
We're still thinking about doing some traveling soon, and I'm thinking that Florence will probably be our first visit, maybe next weekend. We will probably take a trip somewhere sometime in the first couple of weeks in February also because we have a week or more off before classes begin for the semester, obviously we must take advantage!
It's still hard to speak, but we're all trying and all trying to be too self-conscious and nervous about it, because if we don't try we'll never improve. All of the people I've met here have been extremely patient and encouraging, which is always helpful.
Well that is all for now! Flor and I are about to embark on yet another adventure: renting a movie from Blockbuster. It would seem such a simple task, yet when you have no idea how to go about asking to sign up for an account, it becomes so much more daunting and complicated!
Baci ed abbracci a tutti!